V-Belt wobble

[BrianX128]

I have the obvious wobble of my alternator belt, and tightened it some last year and it's not too scary now. But now my a.c. belt has a slight wobble too. It evens out at higher rpms.

What I'm curious on is how much would you suggest is safe to tighten these before it should be replaced? How much is ok stretch between accessory and main pulley? I don't wanna snap one but I'd like to tighten then some. I'll update this with a video later to show where mine are at.

 

[pelky350]

If you pres down on the belt with about 20 ft lbs (estimate) it should deflect down about 1//4-1/2 inch about. How old are they, do they look shiny on the part that rides the pulleys, or small weather cracks at all? I usually just replace them if I have any doubts, untangling a belt from your fan is a only do once and never want to do again kinda thing lol also if your alternator belt throws that means you have no vacuums pump and then you have no brakes! Learned this one the hard way

 

[Hydro-idi]

This is somewhat normal. The a/c & alternator belts are so long that they will naturally wobble a little.
Replacing the belt may help some.

 

[chris142]

Ya those long spans between pullys allow lots of slap. I don't like gates v-belts and we wont use them if I can help it. The dayco ones seem to hold up better.

The best I have found are the Duralast ones @ AZONE. Amazingly they are made in usa and work well.

 

[madpogue]

Is it WOBBLING (pulley out of alignment) or DEFLECTING (loose belt)? BIG difference in prognosis.

 

[BrianX128]

Deflecting. Pulleys appear perfectly straight.

Are any of these v belts one's that can't fit over the fan? Considering just changing them all since their age is undetermined even though they don't show visible damage just to be safe.

 

[madpogue]

They all fit over the fan.

 

[mu2bdriver]

I would buy a new set to replace and as a spare. They're cheap enough where I spent $20 and got three sets. Mine shake a little bit at idle but are smooth under a load.


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[pelky350]

I just bought all gold standard belts from
Advanced auto a few days ago I'll post how they do my belts have a bounce to them too/ needing replaced also

 

[Macrobb]

The one thing I like about the V-belt system is that you have multiple redundant belts on the water pump.
If something goes(either the belt or an accessory siezes up), you only lose one thing, and still have your water pump.

Also, the V-belts aren't any harder to change than a serpentine setup.

Personally, I just keep spare belts in my truck along with a few tools. Belt goes? Easy replacement.

 

[pelky350]

Yep I always keep my old belts after changing to new ones just as spares in the tool box

 

[BrianX128]

Well basically every belt except my alternator to vaccuum pump was loose. A.c. and power steering were really bad. Just gonna get new belts Saturday. Tightened up the old ones for now hopefully they don't implode in the meantime.

 

[riotwarrior]

They all fit over the fan.

Not the vacuum pump belt lol